Bag making machine and method



Oct. 5.- v1937. A Rn; GAuBRf 2,094,594

BAG MAKIHG MACHINE AND METHOD Fi1ed.Apri1 26, 1955 7 sheets-snm 1 l IN'VENTOR.

` ATTORNEY.

R. J. GAUBERT BAG MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD A lFiled April 26. 19:55

oct. 5, l192.1..

L oct; s, m37.` RJGAuBm \BG MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD y i Filed April 2e, 19354 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 36a 19 565 /04Z J6 56a ,l ATromlvEY BAG MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Fned lApril 2s. 1955 7 sheets-snaai s F15-551:2* Y M" INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

` oct. 5,1937. R, 9. @AUBERT 2,094,594

l A BAG MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed prilze. 1955 'I 'sheets-sheet e FICE-:L4-

ATroRNEY. l

\ hun" :n: in l 'ri-0 l, 'y .l l' LA x l n J0.. '/66 I INVENTOR. l

Oct. 5, 1937.l R. J`. GAUBERT ,2,094,594 f BAG MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed April 26. 1955' '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVNTOR. Fer/e d s'uber/ ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES nAG MAKING MACHINE AND Mli'rlllony Rene J. oaubert, oakland, cala, Application April 2 6, 1935, serial No. 18,289

i 19 Claims. `(ol. ca -11i' This invention relates generally to machines and methods for forming bags from sheet material such as Ce1lophane. A

It is an object ofthe invention to provide a machine and method of the above character which will dispense with the conventional practice of gluing together the overlapping edges of sheet material after thesheet is folded to form the bag. In this connection the lpresent invention employs moisture-proof Cellophane, which makes possible a seal between .overlapping portions by the application of heat and pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character which will not be unduly expensive with respect to first cost and maintenance, and which can therefore be used`by department stores, mail order houses, bakeries and the like, to form simple types of bags directly from cellophane stock. Up to the present time it has been customary for such establishments to purchase cellophane bags made by bag manu* f facturers, at a relatively high cost. My machine,

because ofr its low cost and ease of operation, will makepossible the manufacture of bags as they are required by such establishments, at a considerable saving.

Further objects of the invention can be briefly outlined as fo1lows:'-To afford relatively high capacity with minimumrequirements with respect to floor space and skill of the operator; to afford mechanical movements which will per-form the necessary folding and'sealing operations without undue mechanical complications and with a 'minimum amount of power consumption; and to enable sealingover all of therequired areas in a single operation, in cyclic sequence with preceding folding operations. i

Further objects of the'invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment o'f the invention has been set forth in detail, in conjunction with 'the accom-` panying drawings. Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a-side elevational view showing the machine incorporating the present invention.

Fig. '2 is a plan view, showing the heater incorporated in the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along thel line 3 3' of Fig. 1. Fig.- 4 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectionaldetail taken along the line 5--5ofFig.4. 'A x Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the 55. line 6-6 ofFig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 'I--l of Fig.. 1. L

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a, detail similar to Fig. 9 but showing showing a preferred modification of the machine,

Fig. 15 is an end detail view of one-half of the table and associated parts, showing particularly the elements serving to interconnect side folding members, with end fold line retaining members.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional detail taken along the linell'i-f-I t of Fig. ill.

Fig. l? is a cross sectional detail, showing mechanism employed particularly for the purpose l of retracting the end fold line retaining members.A

The machine as illustrated in the drawings consists ofa frame forming a working table, there being a table top l@ with supporting legs il. A suitable source of electric power is provided, such as an electric motor I2. By means of a cyclic drive mechanism, designated generally at I3, the

electric motor I2 serves to cyclically reciprocate a vertical shaft I4. Particularly from the standpoint of simplicity of construction, it should be noted that all of the working parts of the machine to be subsequently described are arranged to be operated by reciprocation of this shaft, although it is evident that in some instances a. more elaborate form of mechanism for interconnecting the working parts with the electricmotor may be de- 1"* sirable.

The cyclic drive means vI3 has been shown including a gear box I5, to secure a suitable reduc.- 4

tion in speed. The gear box drives a crank disc I6, through a suitable one-revolution clutch, Il. A crank rod I8 serves to connect the lower end of shaft I4 with the crank disc I 6. The trip I9 for the one-revolution clutch I1 is shown connected to a foot lever 2|, whereby when this lever is depressed manually, clutch II is engaged to drive crank disc i6 one revolution, after which the clutch is automatically'tripped. A suitable guide journal 22 for the shaft I4 is shown being vso is secured to the frame of the machine.

A suitabledetail for the table top can be best understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 6. A pair of cover plates 24 are provided, which are secured to the upper surface of the table Il) by the spacing studs 25. These plates extend from the rear to the forward end of the machine, over the side areas of the working table, and, assuming that a simple type of rectangular .bag is to be made, the inner longitudinal edges 26 l are parallel. The upper surface of the working table, extending between the 4longitudinal edges 26, forms a flat operating surface 21, with which a sheet 28 of Cellophane or like material of which the bag is to be made, can engage.

In order that a sheet of material can be readily centralized upon the work table by an operator, suitable gauging or centralizing devices 3l are provided. These devices maybe duplicates and can be conveniently mounted upon the cover plates 24. The one device 3l illustrated in Fig. 3 consists of the bar 30, extending pa'rallel to the longitudinal edge 26 of the corresponding cover plate 24, and carried by one end of a rod 32. This rod is slidably carried by a bracket 33, which inV turn is mounted upon the plate 24. By means'of a set screw 34, the distance'between bar 3l)V and gitudinal edges l36a of the mandrel 36.

the longitudinal center line of the working table, can be adjusted. Gauge pins 35 (Figs. 1 and 3) are also provided near the forward edges of plates 24, to facilitate properly locating the forward edge of the sheet. Gauge blocks 29 are also carried by bars 30, to engage the rear edge of the Cellophane sheet, and these blocks are adjustable forwardly and rearwardly of the machine.

One'of the elements utilized during the folding and sealing of sheet 28 is a plate-like mandrel 36. In accordance with the previous assumption that simple, rectangular-shaped bags are to be made, this mandrel is rectangular in contour, and for the larger sizes of bags, it has a width slightly less than. the distance between the edges 26 .of the cover plates 24, and with the plates disposed substantially in alignment with the longitudinal center line of the working table, when viewed in plan as in Fig. 3. The rear end of plate 36 is d etachably secured to a shaft 31 which in turn has a pivotal connection 38 ywith a fixed bracket 39 forming partv of bracket 23. Since the axis of the pivotal connection 38 is horizontal, the mandrel has pivotal movement in a vertical plane, towards or away from the table surface 21. It may be explained at this point that when mandrel 36 is in its lowermost position, it directly engages the upper side of the Cellophane sheet 28, with this sheet being locatedbetween the mandrel and the surface 21. Assuming that the sheet 28 has been properly centralized, its equal side margins 28a can be folded over the side lona forward end margin 28h is provided, which can be folded over the forward edge 381: of the mandrel.

While raising and lowering of the mandrel 36 might in some instances be carried out manually, automatic operation of the mandrel is preferred. For this purpose a clamp 4|, in the form of Va cross-head, is shown secured to the vertical shaft I4. A pair of pins 42 extend upwardly through bracket 23 and have theirlower ends secured to the: clamp 4I. The'upper ends of these pins are adapted to engage the under side of casting 38, whereby when shaft I4 is in the upper limit of its travel, mandrel 36 is elevated to substan- Likewise,

tially the position shownin Fig. 9. When shaft i4 moves downwardly, it is apparent that lowering of pins 42'permits mandrel 36 to drop down upon the table surface 21 under the urge of gravity and tension spring 43.

The means illustrated for effecting a 'foldingover of the side margins 28a includes the following elementsz-Underlying the cover plates 24 are the folding members 44a and 44b. These members are in the form of elongated strips of at metal bars. parallel movement in opposite direction, the rear end of each member is secured to rods 45a and 45h, which in turn are slidably carriedby the brackets 46. As representative of suitable means for properly actuating folding members 44a and 44h, a pair of levers 41a and 41h are provided, which are carried by pivot pins 48 upon the 4 bracket 23. The upwardly extending arms 49a and 49h of these levers have pivotal connections to links 524 which are connected to the inner ends of rods 45a and 45h. The clamp or cross-head 4| on 'shaft i4 carries a pair of rollers 53a and 53h, which cooperate with suitable cam surfaces on the levers 41a and 41h. The different portions of the cam surfaces on lever 41a have been designated by numerals la, 2a, 3a, 4a

and 5a, and the corresponding portions on lever' A41h have `been designated by numerals Ib, 2b,

3b, 4b and 5b. With the exception of portions la and lb, all of the cam portions are formed on the lower depending arms 54a and 54h of the cam levers. The manner in which these cam In order to guide these bars for levers operate will be presently described in greaterdetail. For the present, it may be noted that when the shaft l4`is in the uppermost limit of its travel, the cam portions la and lb are engaged, and the folding members 44a and 44h are in their retracted positions, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. However, when sh'aft I4, together with cross-head 4I. is moved downwardly, the cam portions on the arms 54a and 54h are engaged, thus causing the cam levers to rotate in opposite directions, to move the folding members 44a and 44h inwardly in opposite directions' over the mandrel 36.

For at least the initial part of the inward movement of folding members 44a and 44h, it is desirable to have them elevated with respect to the upper surface of mandrell 36. For this purpose an arm 56 is secured to an intermediate part of each folding member (Figs' 3 and 6). The outer end of each arm 56 carri-es a button or pad 51, adapted to slidably engage the upper surface of a bar or strap 55. The underside of each folding-member carries a plurality of spaced leaf springs 58. These springs gently engage the upper-surface of the mandrel, to facilitate formamargin of the sheet over the end edge 36a of the mandrel, means are provided as followsz-Transverse channel guides 6l are mounted adjacent the forward end of the table Ill, beneath the cover plates 24. Fold-line retaining members 62a and 62h, in the form of thin metal strips or blades, are-slidably disposed in these guides.

Instead of supplying separate mechanism, taking its motion directly from'shaft I 4, members .62a and 62h can be automatically operated by lsimple mechanism interconnecting them with the folding members 4tav and Mb. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, a lever 63 has a pivotal mounting El, to the table'l, and is disposed beneath the corresponding cover plate 24. The free ends of levers 63 have pin and slot connections 66 with the corresponding folding members. A tension.` spring 61 is provided, tending to swing each arm 63 outwardly, thus tending to bias the corresponding fold-line retaining member (52a or 62h) towards retracted position. .In addition to the lever 63, a trip lever 68 is provided, which likewise has its one end pivotally mounted to the table l0. This lever is connected to the corresponding side folding member (44a or Mb), by means of link 69. The free end of lever 68 is vadapted to engageV a pin 12, carried by the corresponding end retaining member (62a or B2b). The action is such that when the side folding members are moved inwardly, engagement of levers 68 with pins 12 likewise causes the end tracted positions, as illustrated in Fig. 3, underthe pull of springs B'i. -It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the inner ends of the members 62a, and 62?; terminate short of the inner edges of the side folding members Ma; and Mb when ali ofthe folding members are in theirretracted positions.

To carry out a folding operation to form the bottom of the bag, a folding and gripping device 13 (Figs 4, 5, 9 and 10) is provided. In the form illustrated, this device consists of a bai-1t,`

carried 'by an L-shaped member 15. In order to lsecure the type of motion desired for the clamping bar 1t, member 16 hasa pivotal connection 11 with one arm of an L-iever 18.' This L-lever in turn is carried by a fulcrum pin 19, which is fixed with respect to the table I0. Slidably mountedbeneath the table l0 there is a rod 80, the forward end 8| vof which is adapted to eri-.- gage that portion of theinember 16 to which the bar 14 is attached. Likewise, the forward end of rod 80 has a'vp/iyotal connection 82 to the other arm ofthe L-lever 18. The member 16 is normally biased in a vcounter-clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 4) about the pivot connection 11,' by the tension spring ,83. It will be noted that one end of this tension spring is shown an chored to member, at a point forwardly of both the pivotal connection 11 and the pivot pin 18, while lthe other end of this spring is anchored to the forward end 8l of rod 88.

With the arrangement described above, as rod 80 is moved-'to the left, as viewed in Fig.- 4, mem- "aber 1-6 under the urge of spring 83 is caused to vswing in a generally counter-clockwise direction,

tgo elevate bar 14 and to translate the -same to a p ion overlying the forward -edges of retain-` in members 62a and 82h and the forward edge r' Y, the mandrel 3.6 (assuming that mandrel is'in`\ ts lowered position). Whenin such posihither movement of ba'r .14 towards the rear ofthe machine is arrested bythe stop pin 84. Continued movement of rod 80 towards the rear of theiunachine causes a lowering of.' the pivotal connection 11, and such 'lowering movement (whichloccurs after retraction of members 62a and 62h) is laccompanied by a general lowering of the entire member 16, so that bar 14 is dropped into yieldable gripping engagement with the folded margin 28h of the sheet of Cellophane. Conversely, return movement of rod 80 towards the forward end of the machine rst causes bar 14 to swing back substantially tothe position'shown in solid lines in Fig. 4. In the folding operation just described, it is evident that members 62a. and 621) properly hold down the adjacent'portion of the Cellophane sheet, to avoid undesirable creases and to facilitate formation of properly folded corners and a distinct bottom fold line.

The means for effecting reciprocation of rod 8D can be best understood by reference to Figs. 9 and 10. Thus, the representative means illustrated includes a roller 86, carried on the forward side of cross-head 4I. of rod there is a cam finger 81, the surfaces 88 and 89 of which are adapted to engage the roller 86. A compression spring 9i, surrounding rod ulili, normally urges this rod, together with" finger 81, towards the roller 86. It will be noted that cam surfaces 88 and 89 are parallel with respect' to the travel of shaft I4, and that surface 89 is offset forwardly with respect to surface tti.

Therefore, while shaft I4 is in the upper portion. of its travel, ,with the roller 86 in engagement with-surface 88, the device 13 is retained in its released position, as shown in Fig. 9. As the cross-head 4l moves downwardly it passes beyond the lower end of surface 88, and thereupon finger.

31 and rod B0 .move rearwardly a limited.` amount, until the roller 86 is in engagement with surface 8g. Such movement is sufficient to bring bar li into an elevated position above the forward edge 361) of the mandrel 36. `As the cross-head 4t `moves downwardly a further amount, it finally passes below the lower end of finger 81, with the result that further rearward movementof rod 3@ serves 'to bring bar 1E into clamping engagement with the blades 62a and b2b.

For the .sealing operation following folding of the side andlend margins of the sheet of Cellophane. over the mandrel 3G, a heater structurey 92 is employed. While the details of-this structure may vary in practice, it has been shown iii--l cluding aheater .93, secured to a comparatively rigid backing 9d. yThe 'heater itself is generaily T-shaped in plan profile, as shown in Fig. 2, and its body 96 can be formed of suitable metal. The body is hollow to afford an inner recess 9,1, which accommodates a suitable electrical heating element 98. The lower face of the body 96 has its edges cut away,.as indicated at 98, to afford a limited T-shaped pressing area IM. face may be roughened or yembossed to promote better sealing action between the overlapping portions 'of the Cellophan'e sheet. vThe upper surface'of the mandrel 36 can likewise be emdicated generally at I 82. Attachment .of they heater to the backing 8l can be by means' of three sets of pads 95, which are located to apply presr'sure near the extremities ofthe T. A further set ofv pads 95a located near the center of the `T, are normally spaced aparta slightamount, but

are brought into contact when sufficient force is Secured to the rear end This lower applied -`to the backing to slightly springvk the -same within its elastic limit. A mounting of this face of collar |09.

even distribution of pressure over the T-shaped sealing area, irrespective of inaccuracies in manufacture or slight warpage of the heated parts.

For supporting the heater structure 92, a forwardly extending arm |03 is` provided, which is pivotally attached to the bracket 39 by shaft |04. The forward end of arm 03 has a pivotal connection |06 with the heater backing 94. A tension spring ,|01 serves as an effective counter- .l balance.

These collars are connected together at a spacedr distance apart, by the bars I I2.' The upper collar H03 has a pivotalconnection H3 with a pair of links I M, which in turn have a pivotal connection IIB with the lower end of arm |08. Upon the forward side of collar |09 there is a lever II'I, having a fixed fulcrum |I9 to bracket 23, and connected to the collar |09 by links |2I. forward endof lever II'I is provided with an adjustable `pin |22 adapted to engage a bolt or like stopping surface I 23 on the underside of the table I0. Thus, 4rotation of lever IIT in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig-10,l

is definitely lmited, although the precise limit at which the lever is stopped can be adjusted.

With the arrangement described for connecting arm |93 to the shaft I4, when the shaft I4 is in the position shown in Fig. 9, cross-head 4I is adjacent the upper collar |09, both of the links ||4 and I2! are swung upwardly, and lever I Il is swung downwardly. As shaft I4 movesdownwardly, collars |09 and III remainV stationary until the cross-head 4| contacts with the upper surface of collar III. Thereafter, further downward movement of shaft I4 causes collars |09 and I to be likewise carried downwardly, with the result that arm |08 and the forwardly extending arm |03 are rotated in a clockwise direction, to lower the heater structure92. During the final movement of shaft I4 to the lowermost limit of its travel, links ||4 and |2| pass through dead center positions, substantially as shown in Fig. l0, thus locking the heater structure 92 against the lowered mandrel 36. For the .rst part of the upward return travel of shaft I4, collars |09 and II I remain stationary until crosshead 4| has come into contact with the lower Such lost motion affords sufficient time for completion of the sealing operation. Thereafter, both of the collars are moved upwardly, to break the toggle established by links ||4 and |2I, and thereafter these collars move upwardly under the urge of tension spring |01, to swing arm |03 in a counter-clockwise direction and thus again elevate the heater structure 92. To obviate upward movement of the heater structure 92 at too rapid a rate, a suitable frictioning device is provided, such as a shock absorber |26 of the type employed for automotive purposes. The body of this shock absorber is mounted upon bracket 23, while the' operating rod |21 has a pin and slot connection |28 with the lower collar I I I.

v In the preceding description it has been pointed i out that when the machine is operating, a sheet of material such as Cellophane is placed upon the table, and, following lowering of mandrel 36, the side and forward margins of the paper are The folded over the side and end edges of the mandrel. It may be further pointed out at this time that following such operation, and following folding and gripping of the forward folded margin by the device 13, the heater structure 92 is lowered to bring the T-shaped area I| into tight engagement with the overlapping edges -of the side margins and also with the folded bottom of the bag. Following such a sealing operation, the device 'I3 is released, the heater structure starts to elevate, and the side folding members 44a and 4417 are retracted. The mandrel 36, which now carries the finished bag formed about it, is then raised to the elevated position shown in Fig. 9.

In-some instances the bag may cling to the mandrel, making it difficult for the operator to effect rapid removal. Therefore, to obviate this difficulty and for other reasons, I prefer to employ an air `iet directed toward the `open end of the bag and upon the upper side of the mandrel. A suitable means for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 1, taken in conjunction with Fig. 3. Thus, mounted adjacent the rear end of the mandrel 3B are the air discharge nozzles |3I. These nozzles |3| connect to a common air supply pipe |32, which in turn leads to a suitable supply of air under pressure. For example, I have indicated an air pump or blower |33, driven by the electric motor I2 and connected to pipe |32 through the control valve |34. Valve/|34 can be arranged to be tripped open by cam |36,I carried upon the onerevolution clutch Il. Thus, at the completion vof each revolution of the crank disc I6, Valve |34 is momentarily tripped to open position, to permit a blast of air .to be discharged through nozzles |3I. Since the blast of air is directed towards the open end of the formed bag and upon the upper side of the mandrel 36, it serves to loosen the bag with respect to the mandrel and thus facilitate removal of the bag. It also serves to cool the mandrel and to rapidly cool and set the seal. V y

Operation of the machine can now be reviewed in entirety, as followsz-Assuming that the motor I2 is in operation, the operator places upon the table a sheet of the material from which the bag is to be formed, substantially as shown in Fig. 6, utilizing the .guides 29 and 30 and the guide pins 35 to effect proper centralization. When nally positionedfthe forward edge of the paper extends somewhat beyond the forward edge 36h of the mandrel 36, to afford sufficient materialv to formA a forward margin 28h for foldingin forming the bottom of the bag. The sheet of material employed is preferably a moisture-proof Cellophane, carrying a coating such as will afford a seal when overlapping portions of the Cellophane are heated and pressed together. After proper positioning of the sheet of cellophane, the operator depresses foot lever 2| to trip the clutch yand thus start shaft I4 downwardly in the first part of its cyclic reciprocation. Initial downward movement of shaft I4 causes a lowering of pins 42, with a consequent dropping of mandrel 38 upon the sheet. Further downward movement of shaft I4 brings roller 53h (Fig. 7) into engagement with the cam surface portion 2b of lever 41h, to cause this lever to swing in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 7, and to cause folding member: 44h to slide inwardly over the mandrel 36. Such movement serves to,`

fold the side margin 28a of the sheet of material over the corresponding side edge 36a of the mandrel. Such inward movement of the folding surface 3b,^both members 44h and 62h remain drel.

stationary. During this interval, folding member 44a is advanced over the mandrel 36 by virtue of theengagement of roller 53a with cam portion 2a of lever 41a, and the end retaining member 62a likewise moves inwardly. Because of the leverage afforded by levers 68, the two end members 62a and 62h have their inner ends in relatively close proximity as comparedy with the inner edges of members 44a and 44h, and while in such position theyremain substantially stationary for a short interval, whilerollers 53a and 53h are advancing over cam surfaces 3a and 3b (which are now substantially, vertical). During this intervahroller d6 passes below the lower extremityy of cam surface 88, whereby movement of rod 80 causes bar 14 to be elevated and transposed to substan- `tially the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

Because of this operation the projecting end fbis folded over the end members 62a and B2b, the forward edges of these members defining the fold line for the bottom of the bag. and also serving to retain the folded side margins ilat upon the mandrel, thereby insuring properly folded corners and the absence of wrinkles. v

Further and continued downward movement of the cross-head 4| causes the side folding members 44h and 44a to be successively moved to their final limits, by virtue of engagement of rollers 53a and 53h with cam shoulders 4a and 4b. Such final inward movement is accompanied by. escapement of trip lever 68 over pins 12, with a springing-back of the end members 62h and 62a. Immediately preceding this operation, roller 86 passes belowthe extremity of cam surface 89, to causebar 14 to be lowered in gripping engagement with the folded end margin 2812` and with the members 62a and 62h. Retraction of members 62a and 62h permits the bar`14 to pres's the folded end margin directly against theman- Immediately prior to gripping movement of bar 14, cross-head 4| causes collars |09 and to belowered, to swing down the heater 92.

When cross-head 4| has reached its lowermostA limit, as illustrated inFig. 10, the toggle established by links ||4 and |2| is set, and the lower surface of theheater isforcedwith considerable pressure against the T-sha-ped'area formed by the overlapping edges of the'side margin and also thev overlap between the end margin 20h and the side margins. A relatively short duration oftime for such engagement of heatersurface |0l with the overlapping portions of the Cellophane will suffice for a sealing operation.4

As shaft I4 now starts its upward movement, it first engages cam finger 81, to release the bar 14,

yand then engagement with collar |09 causes breaking of the toggle established by links ||4` and |2|, to kpermit elevation of the heater 92 under the urge of tension spring |01. Continued upward movementof shaft I4 causes levers 41a and 41h to be swung back to the positions illustrated in Fig. '1, by virtue of engagement ofvroller 53a with cam surface l2, androller 53h with cam surface Ib, to retract theside rolling members 44a 'and 44h. Final movement of shaft |4 causes pins 42 to elevate the mandrel 3,6, which now has the bag formed about it, and lupon elevation of the mandrel a jet ofjair is discharged from nozzles |3| to tend to release the bag with respect to the mandrel.

In the foregoing description I have referred principally to the making of a simple bag from Cellophane", having Aa substantially rectangular contour when flattened. It is possible, however, to form the bag about an article, thus dispensing with the operation of placing articles in thefbags after they are formed. Thus, as shown in Fig. 11, the top of the table can be provided 'with a pocket or recess MI, sufficient in dimension to accommodate the article |42. Provided they recessv |4| is not too deep to cause undue wrixnkling of the cellophane sheet, the machine will new operate thesame as has been previously described, with the exception, however, that the bag will be formed vdirectly about the article.

It is apparent that such a modified machine can be employed in many instances, as for example` the mandrel 36, narrower sheets are employed,

and the gauge bars are readjusted.

In some instances where a stiffer bag is desired,

or where a less expensive grade of "Cellophane i is employed, a liner of paper can be used in addi` tion to the Cellophane sheet. In such instances the paper liner, somewhat greater in width than the width of the mandrel 36, is superposed over the Cellophane, in introducing the same into the machine. Thus in the formation of the bag, the side margins of the liner are folded, and when. the bag is completed, the li'ner affords considerable stiffness and strength. The edges of this liner can be interposed in the seal between the folded side and` end margins of the Cellophane.,

thus in effect forming a single unit consisting of a Cellophane" bag joined to an inner paper bag.

The modification 4illustrated in Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive, is deemed superior, particularly with respect to the mechanisms afforded lfor operation of the side folding members 44a and 44b,`and for operating the fold-line retaining members 62aand 62h. Thus, referring particularly to the parts serving to correlatemovements of members 44a and 62a, member 62a carries a pin |5| (Fig. l5), which extends through a slot |50v formed in one end of a lever |52. This lever is fulcrumed to the table I0 by pivot |53, and

its rear end is connected to a toggle-spring assembly |54. Thisassembly consists of a. plunger- |56, havlnga pivotal connection |51 to the rear end of lever |52, and slidably carried by a flxed vbracket |58. yA compression spring |59 has its one end bearing upon bracket |58and its other,

end bearing upon a washer |6I formed as a collar on plunger |56. Thus spring |59,se rves to urge the lever |52 in either one of two directions, past an intermediate dead center position. Y

Near the forward end of folding member 44a there is an L- shaped extension arm |62, the for ward end portion |63 of which is provided with an aperture |64. In the position ofthe parts il-` lustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, the4 upper projecting end |65 of pivot pin |5| extends into aperture f |64, and therefore inward movement of the folding member 44a causes the corresponding member 62a to move inwardly in unison with the same. Mounted on the forward edge of the table I0 there is a plate |66, the upper edge of vwhich underlies the path of movementfof the forward end portion |63 of arm |62. Near the inner end of plate |66 its upper edge is provided with a cam portion |68 which, when engaged by the arm portion |63, causes this arm portion to be lifted free of the pin Note in this oonnection that the edges of arm portion |63 are bevelled, as indicated at |69, so that one of these bevelled edges engages and rides over a correspondingly bevelled shoulder afforded by cam portion |68. Likewise note that arm |62 affords some resilience, so that while portion |63 can be sprung upwardly, it is normally urged towards member 62a. Connecting parts similar to those described abovefor members 44a and 62a are likewise provided for members 44h and 62h, and therefore such parts have been designated by like numerals in the drawings.

The cam levers for effecting operation of the folding members 44a and 44b have likewisebeen modified, and additional `cam elements have been associated with the same for effecting actuation of levers |52 to retract members 62a and 62h, while the folding members 44a and 44?) remain in their projected positions. Thus, referring to Fig. 16, simplified cam levers |1|a and |11?) are provided, which have surfaces la and ib similar to the levers 41a and 41h of Fig. '1, but which have their lower arms |12a vand |12b provided with simple linear surfaces 6a and 6b. The upper ends ofI these levers |1|a and |1|b are connected to theside folding, members 44a and 44h in a manner similarto the connections previously described Withrespect to Fig. 7, for the levers 41a and 41b in thefirst described modification. The pivot pins 48 likewise pivotally support cam levers |13a and |13b, which have their upper ends connected by links |14 to the rear end portions of levers |52. The lower 'portions |16a and |1611 of levers |13a and |13b extend toward each other, and, for certain operating positions, are in the paths of movement of rollers 53a and 53h.

Operation of the modification described above can be briefly outlined as followsz-Assuming that a sheet of Cellophane orlike material 45 28 has been placed upon the table in properly centered position, and that the operator has` causes. the rollers 53a and 53h, carriedby the' cross-head 4|, to engage the lower arm portions y55 |12a and I12b of levers |1|a and lllb, to cause these levers to successively rotate in opposite directions, thus moving the folding members 44a and 44h over the mandrel 36. Since at the beginning of this inward movement of the side folding 60 members pin |5| is engaged in the aperture |64 (Fig. 15), the end fold-line retaining members 62a. and 62h are likewise moved inwardly over the forward edge portion of the mandrel 36, in vunison with the folding members 44a and 44h. 65 Such movement of members 62a and 62h also cau-ses swinging of levers |52, thereby carrying motion through links |14, to swing the cam levers |13a and |13b. Just before the side folding members 44a and 44h have reached the limit of, their 70 inward movement, member |63 strikes the cam pression springs |59, further movement of levers |52 occurs to project the fold-line retaining members 62a and 62h until their inner ends are substantially in contact. As has been previously explained with respect to Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive,

l further downward movement of shaft I4 causes the folding and gripping device 13 to be elevated and transposed over the blades 62a. and B2b, to generally fold over the projecting bottom margin ofy the Cellophane. The shaft I4 is now moved downwardly sufficiently far to bring the cam rollers 53a and 53h into contact with the projecting arms |16a and |1673 of the levers E13@ and |13b. In this connection, note that at this time arm |16a occupies a position to the right of the position illustrated in Fig. 16, while arm |5611' is in a position to the left of that illustrated in this view. Therefore continued downward movelment of shaft I4 causes levers |13a and |131) to be rotated back into the positions illustrated in Fig. 16, and during such movement the springtoggle assemblies |54 are again moved past dead center positions, after which the forward ends of levers `|52 are rapidly swung outwardly and members 62a and B2b are rapidly moved to retracted positions. Immediately prior to retraction' of members 62a and 62h the folding and gripping device 13 moves down into engagementl with these members, whereby retraction of the same permits bar 14 to press the folded end margin directly on the mandrel. The remaining operations of the machine now occur substantially as described with respect to Figs. 1 to 13 inclusive;

I claim:

1.'In a method for the manufacture of paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane, characterized by the use of a plate-likemandrel, the steps of arranging a sheet of the material on one side of the mandrel with substantially equal marginal edges of the sheet extending from vthe side edges of the mandrel and with a relatively shorter' end margin of the sheet extending from the corresponding end edge of the mandrel, eiecting a folding operation of said margins ofthe sheet commencing with successive folding of the side margins through angles of substantially 180 and over the side edges of the mandrel and immediy ately followed by folding over of the end margin through anangle of substantially 180 and over the end edge of the mandrel. andthen applying heat under pressure to a substantially T-shaped planar area which includes the overlapping edges of the side margins of the sheet, and the overlap between the end margin of the sheet and the folded side margins.

2. ln a machine of the character described for the manufacture of paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane, a frame forming an Aoperating table, a plate-like mandrel movably secured to said table whereby asheet of said material canbe placed between one side of the mandrel andthe table, means for folding the side margins of the sheet over the side edges of the mandrel, means for folding a projecting end margin of the sheet over one end edge of the mandrel, and means for applying a heated surface under pressure to overlapping portions of the side margins and to the end margin along an area where the end margin overlaps the side margins.

3. In a machine for making paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane,a frame forming e workingtable,aplate-likemandrelmovablymounted with respect to the table whereby a sheet of said material may be placed between said mandrel and the uppersurface ofthe table, means for foldingy mentioned fold., Y

4. In a machine for making paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane, a frame forming a working table, a plate-like mandrel movably mounted with respect to the upper surface of the table whereby sheets of material for forming a bag can be placed between the upper surface of the table and said mandrel, means for folding projecting side margins of the sheet Vover the side edges of the mandrel, means for folding a projectingend margin of the sheet over one end edge of the mandrel, a fold-line retaining means adapted to be interposed within the last-mentioned fold, and a common actuating mechanism for bothl said folding means and said retaining means, said actuating means affording a cycle of operation in'whichthe folding of one marginal edge of the sheet is delayed with respect to the folding of the other, whereby the margins are caused to overlap when completely folded, and in which saidifold-line retaining means is retracted before final folding of said end margin.

5. In a machine for the making of paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane, a frame forming a working table, a substantially rectangularly contoured plate-like mandrel movably mounted with respect to the upper surface of the 'table whereby a sheet of said material can be arranged between the upper surface of the tableV and the mandrel, with the sheet affording projecting side and end margins, means for folding the projecting side margins of the sheet over the side edges of the mandrel, means for folding the projecting end margin of the sheet over the end edge of the mandrel,a heater affording a substantially T-shaped heated area, and means for pressing said area into contact withA the overlapping edges of the side margins and with the folded end margin. Y

6. In a machine of the character described for permit a sheet of said material to be placed between it, andthe upper surface of the table,

means for folding projecting side margins of the sheet over the side edges of the mandrel, means for vfolding a projecting forward end margin of thesheet over the .forward edge of the mandrel, and actuating meansI serving to effect cyclic operation of said folding means and serving to force said heater downwardly upon the mandrel after a folding operation.

'7. In amachine ing a workingy table, a plate-like mandrel overlying the upper surface of the table and connected tothe frame for vertical movement relative thereto whereby a sheet of said material can be placed between the mandrel and the upper surface of the table, a pair of folding members slidablycarried by the frame,` means including cam elements for moving said folding members in opposite directions ever the mandrel to fold over thev side margins of the sheet,'said'cam elements being for making paper bags from sheet material like Cellophanef a frame formformed to delay movementof one folding member with respect to the other, whereby said margins of the sheet are caused to overlap, and a heater disposed above the mandrel and carried by the frame for vertical'movement relative thereto.

`8. In a machine of the character described for.-

making paper bags from sheet material like Cellophaney a frame forming a working table, a plate-like mandrel overlying the upper surv face of the table, means serving lto pivotally connect the rear edge of said mandrel with said frame, whereby themandrel may be swung in a vertical pla-ne with respect to the table and whereby a sheet of said material may be placed between the mandrel and the upper surface of the table,.15

means for folding projecting side margins of the sheet of material over the side edges of the mandrel, means for folding a projecting end rnargin of the sheet over the forward end edge of the mandrel and for gripping the folded end margin of the sheet with respect to the forward edge of the mandrel, said last means including a gripping bar, and means for actuating said gripping bar to translate it into an elevated position over- ,lying the forward edge of the mandrel, followed by lowering of the bar into engagement with the mandrel. 9. In a machine for making paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane, a frame forming a working table, a plate-like mandrel disposed above thevupper surface of the table and movably connected to the frame whereby a sheet of mayferial to form a bag -can be placed between the upper surface of the table and the mandrel, means yfor folding projecting side margins-ofthe sheet over the side edgesof the mandrel, means for folding'a projecting end margin of the sheet over one end edge of the mandrel, a heateroverlying the mandrel and movably connected to the frame, a vertical reciprocal shaft carried. bythe frame, motive means for effecting cyclic reciprocation of said shaftpand mechanism serving to connect said 'shaft with both said folding. means and said heater, whereby upon reciprocation of said shaft said folding means and said heater are operated in sequence.

10. In a machine for the manufacture `of bags from sheet material like Cellophane, a frame forming a working table, a mandrel overlying the upper surface of the table, means forming a pivotal connection between the rear end of the mandrel and the frame, whereby the mandrel may swing in a vertical plane with respect to the upper 'f' surface of the` table and whereby a' sheet of lmaterial to form a bagcan be placed between the mandrel and the uppersurface .of the table, means for` folding projecting side margins of the sheet of material over the side edges of the mandrel, means for folding aprojecting end margin of the sheet over the forward end edge of the mandrel, a heater overlying both the table and the mandrel, means forming a. pivotal mounting for the heater with respect Ato .the frame whereby the heater can be lswung downwardly on topfof. theemandrel, a

vertical reciprocal operating shaft carried by the frame, mechanism connecting said shaft with said first-mentioned folding means to eect cyclic operation of the same as the shaft isreciprocated, mechanism connecting said secondmentioned folding means with said, shaft to likewise cause cyclic operation of .the same as the shaft is reciprocated, mechanism connecting said shaft with said' heater to-cyclically lower and raise the heater with respect, to' the table for fa -for a sealing operation, said attachment between the body and the backing enabling application of uniformly distributed pressure over said area.

12. In a machine for forming bags from sheet material like moisture-proof `Cellophane, a mandrel, means for folding side. and bottom margins of the sheet over said mandrel thereby providing an area of overlap, means for sealing on the overlap area by heat and pressure, and means for discharging a jet of air on the sealed area immediately following the sealing operation.

13. In a machine for forming bags from sheet material like moisture-proof 'CellophaneZ a mandrel, means for folding side and bottom margins of the sheet over said mandrel thereby providing an area of overlap, .means for sealing on the overlap area by heat and pressure, and

means for discharging a jet of air into the openk end of the bag immediately following the sealing operation.V j

14. In a method for making bags from sheet material like Cellophane, characterized by the use of a plate-like mandrel having a contour corresponding generally to the contour of the finished bag, arranging the sheet of material adjacent one si'deof the mandrel, successively folding the projecting side margins of the sheet through angles of substantially 180 and over the side edges of the mandrel, folding a projecting end margin of the sheet through an angle of substantially 180 and over the adjacent end edge of the mandrel, whereby both the folded side and end margins are in substantially a common plane, and then applying pressure and heat lto the overlapping portions of the folded side ment relative thereto, whereby a sheet of paper to be folded can be placed between the mandrel and the upper surface of the table, a heater overlying the table and connecteduto the frame for vertical movement, and means incorporating accese@ toggle linkage for releasably clamping the heater down upon the mandrel.

16. In a. ,machine for making paper bags, a frame forming a working table, a plate-like mandrel overlying the upper surface of the table and connected to the frame for vertical movement relative thereto, whereby a sheet of paper to be folded can be placed between the mandrel and the upper surface of the table, a heater overlying the table and connected to the frame for vertical movement, a reciprocating rod, and means incorporating a toggle linkage for releasably` clamping the heater down upon the mandrel upon movement of the rod in one direction and for tripping the toggle linkage to enable raising of the heater when the rod. is moved in the opposite direction.

17. In a machine for making paper bags, a frame forming a Working table, a plate-like man'- drel overlying the upper surface of the table and connected to the fra-me for vertical movement relative thereto, whereby a sheet of paper to be folded can'be placed between the mandrel and the upper surface of the table, -a heater overlying the table and connected to the frame for vertical movement, counterbalancing means seiying to urge the heater towards an elevated position with respect to the'table, a reciprocating member, and means incorporating a toggle linkag'e for releasably clamping the heater down upon the mandrel uponrmovement of said member in one direction and for tripping the toggle linkage to enable raising of theheater when said member is moved in an opposite direction. v

18. In a machine for forming bags from sheet Cellophane or like material, a mandrel, means for folding gver side and bottom margins of the sheet over the mandrel through angles 'of substantially thereby forming a T-shaped overlap area on one side face of the mandrel, a

heater having a similar T-shaped heated surface, and means for pressing said heated surface upon said overlap area.

19. In a machine for making paper bags from sheet material like Cellophane, a frame forming a Working table, a plate-like mandrel movably mounted with respect to the table whereby a sheet of said material may be interposed between one sideof the mandreland the table, means for folding projectingside margins of the sheet over the side edges and the other side of the mandrel to provide an overlap between edge portions of said margins, means for folding a projecting end margin of the sheet of material over one end edge of the mandrel to provide an overlap with adjacent portionsof the side margins, a heater, and means for pressing said heater upon said overlapping portions to affordy a seal for both the side and bottom of the bag.

RENE J. GAUBERT. 

